Common Denture Problems and How to Correct Them

Dentures, or dental plates are a practical solution for seniors or people with damaged teeth. Dentures are costly, but some insurance providers and Medicare plans help with the expense. What happens when your dentures create more problems? Here are common problems associated with dentures, plus tips to remedy the problems.

Loose, Ill-Fitting Dentures

Several issues can causes loose dentures:

Dentures were not properly fit initially. If you notice problems with your dentures when you first get them, don't overlook them. Communicate with your dentist. You are paying well for your dental plate; don't ignore discomfort or improperly fitting dentures.

Dentures get loose over time. Your jawbones has likely shrunk. Jawbones lose density with age like all bones. This will change the shape of your mouth and cause your dentures to "unseat". There are several solutions:
-Fill it the loose spots with denture adhesive, but this is just a temporary measure.
-See your dentist. He or she may need to realign (refit) your dentures. She may also need to re-base your dentures; this requires making a new base for your existing set. Worst case scenario is that you will need a new pair of dentures. To prevent this from happening, let your dental professional know as soon as your dentures begin to feel loose. She or he can likely repair your existing dentures and save you money.

Difficulty chewing. There are some foods you will need to avoid eating if you have dentures. My grandfather loved caramel chews. Alas, soft, sticky candies and gum wreak havoc on dentures. Hard foods like nuts and raw vegetables can be difficult to chew as well. Popcorn, foods with seeds or hulls and crunchy snacks like tortilla chips often get caught under dentures and can be uncomfortable. In place of soft, chewy candy, my grandpa ate chocolates or hard lozenge candies. He could eat vegetables if they were properly cooked.

Mouth sores. If your dentures aren't fitting properly, they may be causing chafing in your mouth. This is caused by poorly fitting dentures. See steps for improperly fitting dentures. Your mouth will also get sore if you try to chew foods listed above. Your dentures will wear out more quickly, also.

Stained dentures. Be sure to soak your dentures nightly in dentist-recommended solution. Avoid drinking excess amounts of tea, coffee, red wine, berry juice or colored soda. Berries stain teeth, too. You should remove and clean your dentures regularly with special denture toothpaste. Brush them as you would your regular teeth. Here are denture-cleaning tips.

Broken dentures. Dentures are made from either acrylic resin or porcelain. Both of these substances can chip, crack and break. A friend of mine broke his dentures because he did not heed his dentist's warning to put them in a safe place when he wasn't wearing them. He has to wear the broken dentures until he can afford to replace them. It's advisable to pay for a protection agreement or extended warranty if available.